Republicans in Connecticut have a difficult decision to make: whether to toss out their longtime, moderate and estimable Republican Congressman Christopher Shays

Moderate Republicans have lost their influence over the Bush Administration. So the question is, What's the best way to create some political balance? By continuing to support Republican moderates or by voting Democratic in the hopes they'll win a house of Congress and provide a blocking force against the Bush Administration? A few weeks ago, I sent Chris an e-mail saying that much as I admired him, I couldn't vote for him this time." Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.

The Middle Is a Bad Place to Be How do we restore some balance to American politics? That question is at the heart of the 2006 congressional election SUBSCRIBE TO TIMEPRINTE-MAILMORE BY AUTHOR

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Posted Sunday, Sep. 10, 2006 A group of neighbors have gathered on the patio of an elegant home in Greenwich, Conn., on a gorgeous late-summer evening. Standing at the crest of an emerald lawn that unfurls gracefully toward the Long Island Sound, they sip wine (white) and bubbly water (Perrier). They are mostly Republicans, but of a rarefied sort—wealthy, moderate, Northeastern—and they have a difficult decision to make: whether to toss out their longtime, moderate and estimable Republican Congressman Christopher Shays. To that end, they have come to Sue McCally's home to meet Diane Farrell, who is Shays' moderate and estimable Democratic opponent. There is a slightly illicit feeling to the gathering. Many of these people know Chris Shays personally. "He's a good friend of our family," says John Moeling, a Norwalk Realtor. "He found a temporary congressional job for my son. But moderate Republicans have lost their influence over the Bush Administration. So the question is, What's the best way to create some political balance? By continuing to support Republican moderates or by voting Democratic in the hopes they'll win a house of Congress and provide a blocking force against the Bush Administration? A few weeks ago, I sent Chris an e-mail saying that much as I admired him, I couldn't vote for him this time."

Moeling, obviously, is not your average voter. And Shays' district, which comprises some of the wealthiest suburbs of New York City, is not your average congressional district. But Moeling's question—how do we restore some balance to American politics?—is at the heart of the 2006 congressional election. The most likely answer is that the moderate wing of the Republican Party, especially in New England, will have to be eviscerated. This election may provide a historic completion to the sordid business of ideological realignment that began with the decimation of the Democratic Party in the South. The stability provided by two regionally diverse parties with flourishing moderate wings has been supplanted by clashing Northern liberal and Southern conservative parties, a system in which, ironically, the surest path to political balance is a divided government, with one party holding the presidency and the other at least one house of Congress.

Shays is one of the last vestiges of the Republican Party that Abraham Lincoln led, the province of austere New England merchants and flaming abolitionists. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer who has served in the Congress for 19 years, during which he has distinguished himself by producing bipartisan legislation on issues ranging from the environment to campaign-finance reform and immigration. "His vote against the impeachment of Bill Clinton meant a lot to me," says Steve Myers, a retired physicist who is standing next to Moeling. "I've been a longtime Shays supporter, but my feelings toward him have corroded because of his enthusiastic support for the war in Iraq."

His support has become less enthusiastic in this election season. "I think we need to put some pressure on the Iraqi government," Shays told me after returning, in late August, from his 14th visit to the war zone. He said he was frustrated by the inability of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to create a government of national unity. "We should set out a phased-withdrawal plan, drawing down our troops as the number of Iraqi troops increases." Shays insists his new position isn't a sign of electoral panic. He points to public and private polls that show him ahead of Farrell—and sources at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee say that of the three seats held by Republican moderates in Connecticut, the Shays seat will be the most difficult for the Democrats to win.

But there is a strong sense, as you travel the district, that Shays' position is beginning to decay. In mid-August, I watched the Congressman take questions in Darien from a luncheon group called the romeos (Retired Outstanding Men Eating Out). Shays was very patient, taking questions for almost two hours, and the romeos were appreciative. Toward the end, however, a gentleman named Howard Zinner rose to praise Shays for his civility and moderation and then asked this question: "What do you have to say about politicians like your fellow Republican, House majority leader John Boehner [of Ohio], who calls those who don't agree with the President 'Defeatocrats'? Why are there so damn few Republicans like you?"

Shays replied with quiet vehemence. Boehner's comments were "dumb, stupid, but I can point to plenty of Democrats who do similar things ... [House minority leader] Nancy Pelosi threatened Carolyn Maloney, Ellen Tauscher and Jane Harman—all moderate Democrats—against co-sponsoring legislation with me. There are problems on both sides." Afterward, I asked Zinner about Shays' response. "I really respect him, I've always voted for him, and he had a point," Zinner said. Does that mean you'll vote for him this time? "No way," he said. "If we don't get some meaningful congressional oversight of the Bush Administration, this country may be gone forever."

When this story was posted in September 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Chris Shays Shifts to Favor an Iraq TimetableIn a policy shift, RPCV Congressman Chris Shays, long a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, is now proposing a timetable for a withdrawal of American troops. How Mr. Shays came to this change of heart is, he says, a matter of a newfound substantive belief that Iraqis need to be prodded into taking greater control of their own destiny under the country’s newly formed government. As Chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, he plans to draft a timetable for a phased withdrawal and then push for its adoption. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who said that if drafted he would not serve, Chris Shays has made 14 trips to Iraq and was the first Congressman to enter the country after the war - against the wishes of the Department of Defense.

Peace Corps' Screening and Medical ClearanceThe purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process.

Gates charity races to spend billionsWarren E. Buffett’s gift of $31 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation means that for tax reasons, starting in 2009, the foundation must distribute $3 billion annually, or a little more than twice what it distributed last year.

PCOL Comment: The Foundation says that "preventing the spread of HIV is the most durable long-term solution to the AIDS epidemic, and a top priority for the foundation." Peace Corps Volunteers and Returned Volunteers have been doing just that in AIDS Education for the past 15 years. Why not consider a $100M annual contribution to the Peace Corps to put 2,500 additional volunteers in the field to expand AIDS education worldwide?

PCOL Comment: Congratulations to the Bush administration for an inspired choice for Peace Corps Director. Ron Tschetter is not only an RPCV but was Chairman of the NPCA. Best wishes to Mr. Tschetter on his future tenure as Director of the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps is "fashionable" againThe LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace.

Changing the Face of HungerIn his new book, Former Congressman Tony Hall (RPCV Thailand) says humanitarian aid is the most potent weapon the United States can deploy against terrorism. An evangelical Christian, he is a big believer in faith-based organizations in the fight against hunger. Members of Congress have recently recommended that Hall be appointed special envoy to Sudan to focus on ending the genocide in Darfur.

PC will not return to East Timor in 2006Volunteers serving in East Timor have safely left the country as a result of the recent civil unrest and government instability. Latest: The Peace Corps has informed us that at this time, the Peace Corps has no plans to re-enter the country in 2006. The Peace Corps recently sent a letter offering eligible volunteers the opportunity to reinstate their service in another country.

Chris Dodd considers run for the White HouseSenator Chris Dodd plans to spend the next six to eight months raising money and reaching out to Democrats around the country to gauge his viability as a candidate. Just how far Dodd can go depends largely on his ability to reach Democrats looking for an alternative to Hillary Clinton. PCOL Comment: Dodd served as a Volunteer in the Dominican Republic and has been one of the strongest supporters of the Peace Corps in Congress.

Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA requestThe Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security.

PCOL readership increases 100%Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

History of the Peace CorpsPCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace CorpsTimothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in dangerWhen the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.

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Story Source: Time Magazine

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Fiji; Politics; Congress

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